An abandoned bus has become frozen in ice at Guanting Reservoir on Beijing's northwestern outskirts, unexpectedly drawing crowds of online users as a viral "check-in" spot this winter.? Photo: Screenshot from website

Guanting Reservoir, on the northwestern outskirts of Beijing, has recently gone viral after an abandoned bus frozen into the ice unexpectedly became a new "check-in" attraction for online users. 

Drawn by the unusual sight, many netizens have made special trips to see it, dubbing the scene on the frozen lake "Beijing's own Blue Ways." The reservoir has since seen a surge in winter visitors eager to snap photos.

The trending spot is located on the eastern side of Fisherman's Island at Guanting Reservoir and requires a walk to reach. Blue Ways is a Panama-registered bulk carrier that became widely known after it ran aground near Chengshan Town in Weihai, Shandong Province, in September 2022 following Typhoon Nanmadol.

Guanting Reservoir, built after the founding of the People's Republic of China, is the country's first large-scale reservoir. Most of its water area lies in Huailai County, North China's Hebei Province. It plays an important role in flood control, water supply, irrigation and power generation, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In winter, the reservoir's surface freezes over for miles, earning it the nickname "the Sayram Lake of Beijing's suburbs" on social media.

According to netizens, the bus had previously been stranded on a shallow shoal in the reservoir area. As temperatures plunged and layers of ice formed, the vehicle became firmly sealed into the frozen lake, creating an unexpectedly striking winter scene.

 "The vast frozen lake stretches toward distant mountains. An abandoned bus half trapped in the ice, with shattered windows and a body crusted with frost, set against a backdrop of bleak, snow-covered peaks—it instantly feels like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie," one netizen wrote while sharing their visit on the Chinese social media platform RedNote.

Some users, however, have issued safety reminders, noting that ice thickness at the reservoir is uneven and that winter winds in the area can be strong, posing potential risks. Visitors are urged not to venture too far onto the ice and never to drive vehicles onto the frozen surface. Others added that while the winter-only scenery is worth cherishing, visitors should take proper precautions and behave responsibly so that more people can safely enjoy the view.

Global Times